SERVICES
What can we do for you? And what makes us different?
ICSI & Embryo Time Lapse Imaging
Our team provides all aspects of the ICSI process from mare management for oocyte retrieval to establishing the pregancy with dedication every step of the way
Embryo Time Lapse after ICSI until day 6
Embryo Time Lapse after IVF. Note spermatozoa still attached to the zona pellucida (egg shell)
Embryo (Blastocyst) day 6-7. Note the normal pulsation
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):
ICSI is a procedure that involves an injection of a single sperm cell into the oocyte (egg). The technology is indicated for mares that have not produced foals in any other way, or ovary harvest from deceased mares, or when using poorly performing semen, or when semen is of limited quantity, as in the case of deceased stallions. However, the in vitro embryo production system has improved, and in the majority of cases, is more efficient than traditional embryo recovery after breeding the donor mare. We have performed thousands of ICSI cycles and produced over two thousand embryos since 2008.  Year after year, we engage in research and clinical trials to improve pregnancy rates with our ultimate goal of live healthy foals. This technology, although not as common as conventional embryo transfer, has now reached a level of consistency accepted in the equine industry and provides a way for those once-in-a-lifetime mares to continue producing legendary horses. ​
With ICSI, there is no breeding season!
The Process: Transvaginal Follicular Aspiration/Ovum Pick Up (OPU)
Healthy oocytes are the very foundation of the foal Oocytes (eggs) are collected from follicles in the ovaries by retrieval through ultrasound guidance. In our experience, the average recovery rate is about 90% per dominant follicle and 82% for subordinate follicles per attempt. The management of the mare can make all the difference in optimizing the number of healthy oocytes. We also offer follicular aspiration of pregnant mares.
Oocytes retrieved from a single mare
ICSI: combining of sperm and egg
A single morphological normal sperm cell from fresh, cooled, or frozen semen is introduced into the oocyte using a micro injection pipette and micromanipulator system. An average of 70% of the injected eggs cleave (divide). Conventional in vitro fertilization has in recent years met with some success but remains highly variable and less predictable than ICSI.
Sperm injection
In Vitro Culture: everything has to be perfect
After ICSI the injected oocytes are placed in culture medium in a Time-Lapse incubator in a controlled atmosphere until day 6-9. An average of 1.8 transferable embryos are obtained after each mare collection.
Embryos 4 days after ICSI from a single donor
Embryos (Blastocysts) 7 days after ICSI from a single donor
In Vitro Embryo Transfer: giving the new life a home to grow
At this point, the embryos (blastocysts) are non-surgically transferred into recipient mares or in some cases (usually when semen is the issue) to the donor mare. The pregnancy rate is around 75% at day 60, though varies depending on the donor mare's age and quality of the semen. Fertility is a complicated trait, especially when combining two individuals. In some cases, multiple embryos and pregnancies are achieved on the first try; in others, it may take several attempts to get a pregnancy. For problem mares, try to select the most fertile semen choice, and if ICSI is required for the semen choice, choose younger, fertile mares. In any case, the recipient mare can be a deal breaker. Good candidates are young (aged 4-12 years), ideally maiden or with good/uncomplicated foaling histories, good perineal conformation and normal cytology/uterine culture negative. We work with your own recipient mares as well as local recipient facilities to help achieve success.
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) of Embryos: a greater gain in knowing
Whether it's sex, color, or an undesirable genetic disease, the technique of embryo biopsy allows you to know what you're transferring. Embryos are sampled for cells and cryopreserved pending the DNA testing. You decide whether or not to transfer. Testing is available for: 1) sex 2) genetic disease (GBED, HERDA, HYPP, Lethal White Overo, Malignant Hypothermia, PSSM1 for Quarter Horses and related breeds, or CA, LFS for Arabians) and 3) coat color (Red Factor, Agouti, Champagne, Dun, Pearl, Silver, Lethal White Overo, Gray, Sabino-1, Tobiano, Dominant White W10, Splashed White).
Resulting embryos can be frozen via a procedure called vitrification for later transfer depending on the client's needs, market values and recipient availability. Expect a 5-10% decrease in pregnancy rates compared to the transfer of fresh embryos. Freezing offers significant advantages: producing embryos in the fall for spring transfer, waiting for a suitable recipient, or long-term storage until the time is right. We will store the embryo safely until then.
​Embryo Freezing (vitrification): a wise way to bank your genetics and decide when you need the
Time-Lapse embryo incubators reduce observational time and stress to embryos during culture, making developmental assessment easier on them and us. Â This approach allows an undisturbed culture, and continuous image acquisition makes our evaluation process more precise through accurate analysis of individual embryos including specific morphologic (anatomy) deviations. Observing the fascinating dynamics of their development is something we can share with our clients. In addition, time-lapse allows us to manage recipients more effectively as we can predict embryo development more efficiently.
Other services provided by our lab:
Oocytes may be shipped in for ICSI by referring veterinarians who are managing your mare. Please be sure we have all appropriate information as well as semen for the ICSI procedures and a plan to either ship, transfer or freeze and store the resulting embryos. These details will be shared in the assisted reproduction technologies (ART) contract. Also note that only a licensed well-trained veterinarian should be performing such procedures. You wouldn't want to trust your mare to anyone else.
Another option may be to have your mare managed at your own home facility and send her to us for the oocyte retrieval procedure when appropriate. Because some mares will do better at different times of their cycle, your veterinarian should coordinate with our clinicians based on the mare's last ovulation if known as well as a current ultrasound to ascertain number of retrievable follicles. Depending on how far away the mare is, please allow for an overnight stay for recovery.
Currently, we have collaborations with:
Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Los Olivos CA,
San Luis Obispo Equine, San Luis Obispo, CA,
Varian Equestrian Center, Arroyo Grande, CA,
Coastal Equine Ranch, San Luis Obispo, CA​
River Grove Veterinary Services - Dr Melissa Patten​
Torvik Veterinary Services - Dr Lena Torvik
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What they are saying...
" Introducing Whizkey N Diamonds x Smokums Treana 2025 palomino colt, Cody, born on Wednesday, February 26th."
This is an especially memorable ICSI success story for us at VRI. Our client, S6 Ranch in Knightsen, CA wanted to try for one last baby out of their 11 year-old daughter's beloved 25 year-old heart horse. We were so pleased that we were successful in creating and implanting a healthy embryo in their sweet recip mare, Keeva. Their now 12 year old is already planning her future high school show career with her new colt Cody.
ANGIE & LOUIS SALVADOR
@s6horses